South Kohala

A restored, healthy, abundant, resilient South Kohala coastal ecosystem cherished by an island community guided by the values and traditions of Kohala

The South Kohala reef ecosystem is part of a semi contiguous fringing reef that extends from Keahole Point to Kawaihae with no natural or artificial interruptions, making it one of the longest reefs in the State of Hawaii. These coral reefs are among the healthiest and most productive in the state and represent a vital and irreplaceable culture, social, recreational, and economic resource.

Unfortunately, there are several factors threatening the quality of coral reef ecosystems in South Kohala such as anthropogenic threats including land based sources of pollution, invasive species and unsustainable fishing practices.

Priority Area

The State’s Hawaii Coral Reef Strategy identifies coral reef ecosystems along the South Kohala district coastline as a priority management site. The South Kohala Conservation Action Plan (CAP) identifies the priority threats, conservation targets and strategies. The CAP is the guiding document for the partnership.

The area of focus includes the marine and coastal habitats along 24 – miles from the north boundary of Kawaihae ahupua‘a to the south end of Anaeho‘omalu Bay. Projects include mauka (mountain) to makai (ocean) management strategies to help reduce the priority threats.

South Kohala Conservation Action Plan

Conservation targets:

Coastal and Marine Food Resources

Coastal Wetlands

Community Kinship and Stewardship

Coral Reef Ecosystems

Native Reef Herbivores

Native Reef Predators

Priority threats:

Unsustainable Fishing Practices

Land Based Sources of Pollution

Invasive Species

Conservation Strategies:

Community Partnerships

Community Co-managed Areas

Fisheries Management

Sediment Reduction

Invasive Species Removal and Prevention

Additional Threat Analysis

Over 30 agencies and organizations contributed to the planning process with participation from the following groups that make up the South Kohala Coastal Partnership.

Working group: The working group/core team meets bi-monthly to prioritize and evaluate projects that will address the CAP strategies. The Nature Conservancy, University of Hawaii Sea Grant, USDA- Natural Resource Conservation Service, Mauna Kea Soil and Water Conservation District, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coral Reef Conservation Program,Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, National Park Service, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail Association, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources.